COVID-19 death brings state total to 19

State health officials on Friday announced Hawaii’s 19th death from COVID-19 as well as 29 new cases of the novel coronavirus.

According to the COVID-19 Joint Information Center, the victim was an elderly adult on Oahu who was hospitalized with multiple underlying health issues.

The additional cases bring the state’s cumulative total to 975 cases. There were 25 cases diagnosed on Oahu, two cases on Maui, one case on Hawaii Island and one case among a resident out of state, according to the center. At least five of the cases represent three new events and possible clusters.

Oahu has recorded most of the cases with 701 positive tests since Feb. 28, followed by Maui County with 127 cases, Hawaii County with 91 and Kauai County with 38.

Of the Hawaii residents who have tested positive for COVID-19, 754 of those cases have since recovered and been released from isolation. That includes 86 of the 91 cases on Hawaii Island.

Statewide, 118 patients have required hospitalization, including three on Hawaii Island.

Of the 19 deaths reported in Hawaii, 13 were on Oahu and six were on Maui.

“Every COVID-19 death is an emotional reminder of the need for all of us to be vigilant and wear a face covering when outside our homes, physically distance ourselves from others and wash hands frequently,” Gov. David Ige said on Friday. “It’s about protecting each other and allowing the state to reopen safely. We all have a stake in this, and now is the most critical time to wear a mask.”